Hmmm, I see that questions number #3 and #5 ask basically the same thing. My bad {I used to hate this slang phrase which means I'm sorry for my mistake; but overtime, I've gotten more used to writing it, if not saying it}.

These mistakes show that I'm writing this in an off the top of my head type of way. If I were to spend time thinking about this, and formally writing it, it probably wouldn't get written. And if I didn't write it, then...well I think an analysis of the differences between the aesthetic styles of Black and of White marching bands & an analysis of the audiences' responses and expectations regarding these bands deserves some attention on Mudcat and elsewhere, so that is why I'm posting these thoughts and this is why I hope that others join in this discussion...

With regard to question #4, it seems to me that the predominately Black marching bands emphasize the drum major's performing role more than predominately White marching bands.

#5. I pass on this question

#7/#9. My for instances address the main differences that I see between HBCU marching bands and non-HBCU marching bands {high stepping, incoporating dance movements while marching, stopping marching to do dance movements, moving their heads while marching, bending down towards the ground, half-kneeling on the ground, laying on the ground while playing their musical instruments

#10 It appears to me that both types of marching bands moved in such a way that they made geometric figures, anagrams, numbers etc...Some may argue that the predominately White marching bands did this with more precision than the predominately Black marching bands, but I can't tell if that is the case or not.

#11/12/13. It seemed to me that the flag twirlers and baton twirlers were much more an integral part of predominately White marching bands than predominately Black marching bands. Indeed, some predominately Black marching bands don't appear to have had flag twirlers or baton twirlers. Female dancers seem to be an integral part of predominately Black marching bands more than predominately White marching bands. These dancers were usually slender, attractive young women {using the majority/minority culture's definition of "attractive"} who were usually dressed in majorette type uniforms or tight fitting informal wear; In Black marching groups the dancers usually performed dance steps from hip-hop/R&B culture; In White marching bands, the majority female dancers seemed to me to perform more modern dance/ballet type moves.

#13. The two types of marching bands usually wore the same types of military style, colorful uniforms; Some groups had capes to their uniforms...I noted how FAMU {Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University} drum majors and band members used the capes of their uniforms to further emphasize their moves...This reminded me of the traditional ways that female dancers in various African Diaspora cultures hold their wide skirts out to emphasize flowing moves, and how men and women wave {usually white} handkerchiefs and cloths while they dance} Both of these customs are still done nowadays. As a matter of fact, I was impressed with [during the battle of the bands show that I went to last Friday] how some old time veterans of the Grambling band joined the younger band members in a performance of a Dixieland jazz tune. Two of the old men danced a two step [I think that's what it was called] and both of them held a white handkerchief out but down toward the floor while they danced.